SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: T.J. Leaf of the UCLA Bruins shoots during the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes looks to pass as he's defended by TJ Leaf #22 and Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot defended by Gyorgy Goloman #14 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins and Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes battle for the rebound during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins is greeted by his teammates as he comes off the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins dunks the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff, left, hugs forward Jimmy Hall after he fouled out in the closing moments of Kent State's 97-80 loss to UCLA in a first-round game of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Bryan Patrick)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against Gyorgy Goloman #14 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kent State guard Jaylin Walker, left, and UCLA guard Aaron Holiday scramble for the ball during the second half of a first-round game of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 17, 2017. UCLA won 97-80. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jalen Avery #0 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by Thomas Welsh #40 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jalen Avery #0 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jalen Avery #0 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jalen Avery #0 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins defends against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes drives to the basket against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 is congratulated by his Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins as his team defeats the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins battles for the ball with Jaylin Walker #23 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins dunks the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jalen Avery #0 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by Gyorgy Goloman #14 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 is consoled by his Head coach Rob Senderoff of the Kent State Golden Flashes as his team loses to the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a shot against Adonis De La Rosa #1 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes looks to pass defended by TJ Leaf #22 and Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins is greeted by his teammates as he comes off the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: The UCLA Bruins cheerleaders cheer on their team against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins is greeted by his teammates as he comes off the court against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes handles the ball on offense against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins battles for the ball with Jaylin Walker #23 of the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: The UCLA Bruins cheerleaders cheer on their team against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins dunks the ball against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Adonis De La Rosa #1 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by Gyorgy Goloman #14 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Bryce Alford #20 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a shot against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jimmy Hall #35 of the Kent State Golden Flashes is defended by TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruinsduring the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: The Kent State Golden Flashes celebrate the play against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Mitch Peterson #13 of the Kent State Golden Flashes looks to pass defended by Gyorgy Goloman #14 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Mitch Peterson #13 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a shot against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Isaac Hamilton #10 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a shot against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17:Head coach Rob Senderoff of the Kent State Golden Flashes speaks with the official against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Deon Edwin #30 of the Kent State Golden Flashes reacts against the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins attempts a lay up against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Jaylin Walker #23 of the Kent State Golden Flashes attempts a shot against Isaac Hamilton #10 of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

PHOTOS: NCAA Tournament – UCLA beats Kent State, 97-80

TJ Leaf scored 23 points, Thomas Welsh added 16 and UCLA pulled away late for a 97-80 victory over scrappy Kent State on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament South Region. UCLA (30-4) jumped out to a 14-point lead in the opening minutes, only to have its defensive issues rise up again. The third-seeded Bruins had numerous breakdowns and let Kent State claw back into it by halftime, eventually stretching the lead midway through the second half.

Lonzo Ball and Aaron Holiday each had 15 points for UCLA, which will face No. 6 seed Cincinnati in the second round on Sunday.